Is Herpes Genital in Pregnant Women Cause Autism in Children?

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Medical Video: The Real Link Between Herpes During Pregnancy and Autism

Genital herpes is a venereal disease caused by the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). HSV-2 infection is more common in women than men. Pregnant women who have this condition risk transmitting herpes to their babies during vaginal delivery. In addition, there is a study that links genital herpes in pregnant women with the risk of children born with autism spectrum disorders (GSA). Is it true? Check out the answer below.

Relationship to genital herpes in pregnant women with autism

Research from Center for Infection and Immunity and Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Norway observe the data collected from Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. This data includes pregnant women, fathers and their children in Norway from 1999 to 2008.

This study collected maternal blood samples for 18 weeks of pregnancy and after delivery. There were 442 mothers of children who had been diagnosed with GSA, and 464 mothers of children without GSA. Questionnaires about various results and health conditions were given to mothers when their children were three, five, and seven years old.

Blood samples are observed for antibody levels to five pathogens, i.e. Toxoplasma Gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2. High levels of antibodies to HSV-2 make pregnant women twice as likely to give birth to children with GSA. A high level of body immunity against four other pathogens is not related to the risk of GSA in later children.

According to the researchers, the age of 18 weeks of pregnancy is a period in which the fetal nervous system develops rapidly. Thus, they suspect that the maternal immune response to HSV-2 can disrupt the development of the fetal nervous system, which can then increase the risk of autism.

At first, the study not found relationship between the level of antibodies to these five pathogens during pregnancy or after delivery to the development of GSA in boys or girls. However, at the time of additional analysis, researchers found that levels of antibodies to HSV-2 during second trimester pregnancy were associated with GSA.

Further research is needed to ensure the risk of autism due to genital herpes in pregnant women

Unfortunately, the results of the above research are only found in 14 women, so the data cannot be used as a benchmark. The study also reported that the relationship between high immune levels and HSV-2 and increased risk of GSA was only seen in boys.So researchers have not been able to conclude whether this study is specific to sex.

Further research is still needed to gain an in-depth understanding of the relationship between HSV-2 virus infection in pregnancy and the risk of giving birth to boys with GSA.

Prevent transmission of genital herpes during pregnancy

Be careful when having sex during pregnancy, especially during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Make sure your partner is free of genital herpes or oral herpes. You may need to check yourself and your partner to find out if there is herpes before planning a pregnancy.

In addition, after the baby is born you should not let other people kiss your baby. Especially people you don't know about their medical history. Because, herpes can be transmitted from the kiss of an infected person. Herpes infection in newborns is also a serious matter.

Is Herpes Genital in Pregnant Women Cause Autism in Children?
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